June 20, 1997 I just read the transcript of a presentation by John Sewell to the Municipal
Governance Institute (Vancouver, on Friday June 20, 1997). It can be referenced at the WEB
URL of http://news.flora.org/flora.action-forum/268. In the interest of saving FAX paper I will
send this to you only if you specifically ask me for a copy (Please contact me at any of the above
addresses if you need a copy. I can fax to any number you send me).

In this letter it speaks about how "Canadian municipalities are in a quandry. We don't know
whether we're the most important level of government or the least important". One of the things I
have kept reading time and time again is that in a world of globalization, local control and local
interests become very important. Who better to design an Ottawa that will meet the needs of the
people within it but the men and women living in Ottawa who are part of the municipal
governments.

Contrast what I see as an obvious importance of local governance with the fact that
municipalities are creatures of the provinces, and you end up with an obvious problem.
Discussing whether we give power to the provinces or power to the federal government is no
longer a rational question to be discussing in the current world climate. While it is obvious that
there is a need for federal and provincial standards, it should be clear that the bulk of the
implementation and details should be worked out at the local level.

The presentation went on to talk about how local governments are also seen as much more open.

Municipal governments might be the most accessible and responsive of all levels of
government in Canada, but they get little respect. The whole idea of decisions made in
open session, after full debate and full disclosure of all staff reports - and these practices
are hallmarks of municipal decision-making across the country - are scoffed at by the big
boys at the provincial or federal levels. There, decisions are made in the privacy of a secret
Cabinet meeting for which one can't even get an agenda. Cabinet ministers even swear
oaths that they won't reveal the public's business to the public. Reports that go to Cabinet
are automatically labelled secret.

I wanted to make sure that everyone was aware of this presentation, and to also add myself as a
voice in support of increased power at the local level. This is not a knee-jerk reaction to the
current problems in the Ontario provincial government, but a general feeling I have had in
relation to citizenship and public participation. I hope you will take the time to read the
presentation and consider these ideas in the future. If there is work underway to these ends,
please let me know as I would then be able to work with you.